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Rockstar Games' double-gunned action franchise comes to the big screen thanks to director John Moore (The Omen) and Mark Wahlberg, who embodies the title character of Max Payne, a widowed cop hell-bent on delivering justice no matter what the cost as he investigates a string of killings in his city. Mila Kunis and Chris O'Donnell head up the supporting cast, with Beau Thorne adapting the screenplay for the 20th Century Fox production.

Director: Joe Wright
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener
Studio: DreamWorks SKG

The Plot: In Los Angeles, reporter Steve Lopez (Downey Jr.) befriends Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), a brilliant but troubled musician and one-time Julliard student who currently lives on Skid Row. In a series of revealing articles, Lopez draws attention to Ayers's remarkable story, while Ayers still dreams of a grand performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

In mid-October of last year, Paramount made the decision to push Jamie Foxx and Co. from their movie's Oscar-friendly berth to this new date. Why? Crowded marketplace, I'm assuming (for now, though I'm digging for more info). Reports indicate P'mount might still let the film qualify for Oscars with a quiet, awards-qualifying release at year's end, which, provided some nominations come through, could turn this into a springtime hit. Either way, it should be quite something to watch Atonement director Joe Wright deftly move between time periods in to tell Ayers's remarkable story (get some background here). Bank on top-notch performances from Foxx, Downey Jr., and Keener (who plays Steve Lopez's wife), as well as a layered screenplay from Susannah Grant (Erin Brokovich).




I've read Lopez's columns in the Times for years and followed this one with interest and satisfaction. Making a film about a tale like this restores my belief in Hollywood beyond the mindless bunk it churns out year after year.

Downey Jr and Foxx play a newspaper columnist and homeless man who come together in a most unusual way. Downey is a newspaper columnist looking for something original and interesting to write about it. He finds it when he sees Foxx beautifully playing battered stringed instruments along 3rd street in downtown L.A. Foxx has been there for years but on this day grabs the eye of the columnist because the columnist himself is experiencing hardship and doubt related to his own position. He begins to write about this talented but troubled man who fills the stinky air around him with harmony. They become friends but keep in mind this is not fiction. The friendship hits many bumps that continue to this day. Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx's character) may be a brilliant, educated musician, but he suffers from bouts of schizophrenia that manifest at any time. Downey's character accepts this as it adds more intrigue to his columns. Then he accepts it on a personal level. Their friendship ultimately becomes real and meaningful. You sense that Downey's character needs the friendship even more than Foxx's homeless man does. In the end, Downey's Lopez can see the positive effect his work has brought to the plight of the homeless, yet he wonders personally how much better he has made Nathaniel...? His reflections make us think also.

Downey Jr and Foxx play their characters to near perfection and the film masterfully takes its time in developing the relationship between the two. Great to see director Joe Wright telling a contemporary tale just as effectively as he has in previous works. The film makes us wonder how many other Nathaniel Ayers are lurking out there on the streets? Life being what it is, of course we will never know. The beauty of the film is that is shows what can happen when just one Nathaniel Ayers is found after being lost for so many years. There's no sugarcoating; Ayers doesn't magically get better and rejoin mainstream society. Instead, the mainstream accepts him for what he is and what he offers and begins integrating him as best it can. This film will certainly pop up at award time next year.

Director: Rob Letterman Conrad Vernon
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert Studio: DreamWorks Distribution

The Plot: After being hit by a meteorite on her wedding day, Susan Murphy (Witherspoon) is transformed into a monster named Ginormica and subsequently whisked away to a secret government compound where others like her have been rounded up over the years. When the Earth comes under attack by an alien commander known as Gallaxhar (Wilson), however, Ginormica and her new allies are set free to save the planet.

Taking a page out of Pixar's playbook, D'Works may have finally caught on that audiences (and Academy voters) prefer a good story, interesting characters and funny jokes to a farting donkey. Adding an all-star line-up and 3-D effects is pretty awesome, too. "Is this potential serial action?" Insiders says yes.

Director: Stephan Elliott
Stars: Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas (Full Cast)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

The Plot: A young Englishman (Barnes) brings his glamorous American bride (Biel) home to meet his family, and she arrives like a blast from the future, blowing their entrenched British stuffiness out the window.
Positioned next to Chéri (the Stephen Frears period comedy which comes out next month), it appears as though BBC Films is taking a break from heavy dramas in favor of exporting some light 'n breezy dramedies (I cannot believe I just typed that word). Question is: Will the American overcoat set embrace what might be their first exposure to Jessica Biel? Personally, I think she charms in the trailer. Looks like Priscilla director Stephan Elliott is poised to deliver his first crowd-pleaser in a long while. P.S. Something tells me Kristin Scott Thomas might earn a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as the matriarch here, if only for the I've Loved You So Long snub.

Director: Damien Wayans
Stars: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans (Full Cast)
Studio: Paramount Pictures

The Plot: Street dancer Thomas Uncles (Damon Wayans, Jr.) is from the wrong side of the tracks, but his bond with the beautiful Megan White (Shoshana Bush) might help the duo realize their dreams as the enter in the mother of all dance battles.

Little is known about the new Wayans Bros. comedy, but if that plot outline holds true, the brothers could be retreating back to White Chicks territory in order to put the uninspired Little Man behind them. (Remember when the "baby" hit his adoptive father with a frying pan?) I'm probably in the minority here, but I truly wish Keenen Ivory Wayans would get in more of a 90s mindset, when he wrote scripts like I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and Hollywood Shuffle. If that can't happen, strive to create scenarios that as are funny as the best bits from the first two Scary Movies.